I am a girl of noble family, but I am painfully shy, especially in my encounters with those of the opposite sex . . .

For Clara Deverill, standing in for the real Lady Truelove means dispensing advice on problems she herself has never managed to overcome. There’s nothing for it but to retreat to a tearoom and hope inspiration strikes between scones. It doesn’t—until Clara overhears a rake waxing eloquent on the art of “honorable” jilting. The cad may look like an Adonis, but he’s about to find himself on the wrong side of Lady Truelove.

Rex Galbraith is an heir with no plans to produce a spare. He flirts with the minimum number of eligible young ladies to humor his matchmaking aunt, but Clara is the first to ever catch his roving eye. When he realizes that Clara—as Lady Truelove—has used his advice as newspaper fodder, he’s infuriated. But when he’s forced into a secret alliance with her, he realizes he’s got a much bigger problem—because Clara is upending everything Rex thought he knew about women—and about himself. . . .

"Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress"
Is the world really falling apart? Is the ideal of progress obsolete? Cognitive scientist and public intellectual Steven Pinker urges us to step back from the gory headlines and prophecies of doom, and instead, follow the data: In seventy-five jaw-dropping graphs, Pinker shows that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise. Learn more

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I adore everything she writes.” (Julia Quinn)

“Guhrke charms from the beginning with a premise that ensures readers there will be plenty of humor and passion on the path to a HEA. Readers will be glued to the pages and entertained by her deft prose and careful plotting, and will delight in the characters whose voices ring true as the story races ahead to a satisfying ending.” (RT Book Reviews (4 stars))

From the Back Cover

Dear Lady Truelove . . . I am a girl of noble family, but I am painfully shy, especially in my encounters with those of the opposite sex . . .

For Clara Deverill, standing in for the real Lady Truelove means dispensing advice on problems she herself has never managed to overcome. There’s nothing for it but to retreat to a tearoom and hope inspiration strikes between scones. It doesn’t—until Clara overhears a rake waxing eloquent on the art of “honorable” jilting. The cad may look like an Adonis, but he’s about to find himself on the wrong side of Lady Truelove.

Rex Galbraith is an heir with no plans to produce a spare. He flirts with the minimum number of eligible young ladies to humor his matchmaking aunt, but Clara is the first to ever catch his roving eye. When he becomes aware that Clara—as Lady Truelove—has used his advice as newspaper fodder, he’s infuriated. But when he’s forced into a secret alliance with her, he realizes he’s got a much bigger problem—because Clara is upending everything Rex thought he knew about women—and about himself . . .

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

This is the second book in Ms. Guhrke's 'Dear Lady Truelove' series. It's wonderfully written, and the main characters, Miss Clara Deverill and Rex Galbraith, are both likable and believable. It was interesting to watch them come to know one another, and in this knowledge to also gain deeper insights into the lives they've led, and the lives they hope to lead in the future. There are some books that I read over and over again (especially when I am searching for a new book), and this is one such book.

Although I have read hundreds of romance novels, this is my first review, simply because, like Rex, I couldn't resist. Not only is this my favorite Laura Lee Gurhke novel, it is one of my favorite romance novels of all time. It balances a reforming rake with a shy but intelligent girl, has a slowly built element of passion, and provides the reader with a totally understandable rationale for the hero's reluctance to marry. Add to that foundation much witty banter, a truly lovely friendship between the hero and heroine, and some comic moments, and you have an excellent story to be read and reread.

Lovely hate-to-friendship-to-love story. Guhrke does a nice job illustrating the slow and unknowing way they both develop feelings for each other while letting the audience still see the love blooming even when the characters haven't yet. There are some passionate moments and it was nice to see how each of them handled that. Quite a well done and entertaining romance.

Loved this story a lot. Clair showed her growth of confidence with the help of Rex. Neither thought they were headed for love. Enjoyed how Rex finally figured out that he loved Clair. I also liked that Irene and Henry returned from the Truth about Love and Dukes.

"A woman who was shy and plain, who stammered when she was nervous and had never caught a man's eye in her life, could hardly be splendid at advising people about love and romance."

FINAL DECISION: A wonderful emotional story about two people who have a mature and adult relationship thankfully free of misunderstanding and drama. The slow burn of this relationship made me so happy.

THE STORY: During the absence of her recently married sister, Clara Deverill has taken the reins of her family newspaper and the Dear Lady Truelove advice column. The problem is that Clara doesn't know what advice to give to people having problems with love -- until she overhears a conversation between two men which convinces Clara to write a column directed toward the poor woman they are discussing. When Rex Galbraith finds out about the column (which is obviously about the conversation with his friend) he comes in search of Lady Truelove. Clara and Rex soon reach an unexpected agreement involving the Lady Truelove column and an orchestrated "courting" between them in order to satisfy Rex's family.

OPINION: I loved this book because it was focused almost entirely on the couple and their developing relationship to the exclusion of everything else. No dramatic external storyline, no external barriers to their relationship. This is purely a story of two people developing a love for one another despite their initial belief that they could never be compatible.

Clara first sees Rex when he is giving advice to his friend (which involves lying to her about his intentions) and Clara sees that Rex is a rake who cannot be trusted. Clara has always wanted what is a traditional role -- marriage and children, but her sister's absence has placed her in charge of the newspaper and she begins to find her footing and the self-satisfaction of having a job. While Clara wants to marry, she is determined that she will marry for nothing less than love.

Rex is a man who has seen nothing but bad things come from "love". He is determined never to marry, but he finds himself enthralled by an innocent and respectable Clara even as he knows that he must keep his distance from her. Although Rex has been a rake, he is an honorable man at heart. (And I think somewhat of a romantic despite his cynical musings about love and marriage).

I absolutely loved the slow burn of this book. The gentle way that these two draw together and eventually find a happy ending. The story of the shy wallflower who tames the rake is often done in romance, but this book is different. The wallflower finds her own footing and refuses to settle for less than what she wants. She is willing not only to sacrifice but also to forge ahead with her own altered plans.

My favorite books are emotional and focused on the couple. This story is about the growth and change in these characters on their journey and I enjoyed every step.

WORTH MENTIONING: I like this historical era (Victorian) where class distinctions are blurring and womens' roles are expanding.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE TROUBLE WITH TRUE LOVE is the second book in the Dear Lady Truelove series. It is not necessary to read the first book in the series although there are some overlapping characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Edelweiss in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.